Ear-compress



" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

V MARY L. WEBER, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

EAR-COMPRESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 543,455, dated July 23,1895.

Application filed September 19, 1894. Serial No, 523,461. (No model.)

- To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MARY L. WEBER, a citi zen of the United States ofAmerica, residing 7 will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in devices for shaping the externalear and cansing the same to maintain its proper position.

It is well known that thecartilaginous funnel known as the external earoften has a lection and reflection of sound-waves.

remedy is applied, the external ear becomes an unshapely and unsightlyappendage. The object of my invention is to provide a remedy for thisdefect or abnormal tendency; and to this end the invention consists ofthe features hereinafter described and claimed, all of which will befully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which isillustrated an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device. Fig. 2 isa section taken on the line a: 00, Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts in both views.

Let the numeral 5 designate two plates fashioned to conform to thegeneral shape of the external ear. These plates are preferably composedof. very thin sheet-steel, and are provided with apertures 5 to permitthe sound vibrations to enter the ear in a natural manner. The plates 5are further provided with curved elongated apertures 5, which reduce theweight of the plates and at the same time allow the rear-portion of thecartilage of each car to perform its fuction in the col- Each of theseear-plates is further provided with an apertured projection fi formed onits upper extremity. To these lugs or projections 5 are movably attachedthe springs 6 and 7 by means of pins 8, which allow suflicient movementfor the adjustment of the springs the spring 6 is provided with a slot6*, which receives a set-screw 9, adapted to enter a threaded apertureformed in the engaging or counterpart-spring 7. The spring 6 is alsoprovided at one extremity with aclasp 6, en-

gaging the spring 7 and maintaining the two springs inoperativerelation. Y

From the construction setforth it will'be observed that by loosening theset-screw the springs may be adjusted upon each other to any. extentdesired. These springs are of sufficient length and the slot 6 ofsufficient extent to allow any desired or necessary degree ofadjustment. When the springs are properly regulated the set-screw istightened and the springs maintained in proper position.

The device is applied by passing the springs over the top of the head oraround the back thereof, as may be desired.

The ear-plates 5 maybe covered with any I suitable material, in whichcase they perform the double function of a shaper and muffler.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- As an improvedarticle of manufacture, the herein described ear-shaper comprising twothin integral metallic plates fashioned to conform to the generaloutline of the human ear, that is to say, their rear edges beingoutwardly curved, their forward edges inwardly curved, their greatestlength being from top to bottom and their upper and lower extremitiesrounded, said plates having central apertures to allow the soundvibrations to pass to the internal ear, and the elongated apertures inthe rear formed approximately parallel with the rear edges of theplates, whereby the external ear is permitted to perform its function inthe collection and reflection of sound ,waves, the plates being furtherprovided with apertured projectionsat their upper extremities, saidplates being connected by a pair of leaf springs attached to theapertured projections of the ear plates, one of the springs beingslotted and the other apertured to receive a set screw, as and for thepurpose set forth. In testimony whereof I affix my signature in thepresence of two witnesses.

MARY L. WEBER. WVitnesses: 1

A. J. OBRIEN, FRED. H. HAUCHETT.

